Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 1: Bar and restaurants, pubs and clubs in the state are opening their doors for customers today after remaining closed for about five months.

The excise commissioner issued an order in this connection on Monday, duly allowing liquor consumption and instructing these businesses to follow the central government guidelines. The density of customers in restaurants has been limited to 50 percent. As bars, clubs and pubs have been permitted to open, the state government hopes to improve its revenue position to some extent.

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Tourist hotels, tourist hotels holding beer licences, and bars in airports, have also been given permission to open. Holders of licences CL 4 (clubs), CL 6A (star hotels), CL 7 (hotel and boarding house), CL 7A (tourist hotel), CL 7B (tourist hotels with beer licence), CL 9 (bar and restaurant), CL 17 (duty free shops at airport), CL 18 (bars in international airports), wine tavarin, bottled beer pub and micro-breweries, have been permitted to stay open.

In permitted restaurants, only 50 percent capacity can be filled at a time. Along with food, wine, beer or liquor has been permitted to be consumed. The permission given to issue parcels has been withdrawn.

The state took a decision to permit sale of liquor in view of the fact that several states have permitted food and liquor consumption and also with an eye on improving tax collection.

There is restriction for the entry of people aged over 65, less than ten. Seating arrangements should be made to maintain social distancing with six feet distance. Masks, hand sanitisers are to be used without fail. Social distance to be maintained between the staff and customers with safety measures to avoid infection. Customers and staff wearing masks will alone be allowed to enter. Staff to always wear hand gloves.